Public Statements

Quigley: "Game On" For NHL, Chicago Blackhawks and Local Small Businesses

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement regarding the start of the National Hockey League season, which begins Saturday after a three month delay when players and team owners failed to reach a collective bargaining agreement.

"Being an NHL fan can feel like you're playing hockey in Wayne's World -- just when you're getting started, the game has to stop. Now that the disruptions have passed, it's officially "Game on!' for the NHL, the fans, and the local small business owners, who took the hardest hit because they rely on game-day revenue to make a living. When the puck drops between the Chicago Blackhawks and the L.A. Kings on Saturday, all I have to say is GO HAWKS!"

Rep. Quigley is an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan who began playing hockey when he was six years old and still plays regularly when he is back home in the District. During the lockout, he used his hockey skills at charitable events to promote epilepsy awareness with the Danny Did Foundation and in support of wounded and disabled veterans with the USA Warriors hockey team.

Rep. Quigley is a co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to advocating for the expansion of hockey programs in America. He has also worked with the Blackhawks to expand access to floor hockey programs to youth at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in Chicago and to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community through the Center on Halsted.